BATS

BATS NEED TO BE OUTSIDE

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. Florida has 13 resident bat species, with the Brazilian free-tailed bat the most common here in Southwest Florida. Bats, for their size, have the longest life spans of any mammal. Some bats can live for more than 30 years. The bats normally emerge during a 15- to 20-minute period after sunset, before total darkness on calm, warm evenings when temperatures are above 65 F.

Bats live in many different habitats across Florida. In Florida, natural roosting sites can be caves, in cracks, crevices, or hollows of trees, under dead fronds of palm trees, and in Spanish moss. Bats also use manmade structures including buildings, bridges, culverts, tile roofs, and bat houses.

Contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind, and many species see quite well. Because they are active at night, bats are adapted for seeing in dim light. Even in complete darkness. Bats emit high-pitched sounds and listen for them to echo back. The length of time it takes the echo to return tells a bat how far away it is from an object. This helps bats to be very skillful flyers in the dark and to hunt successfully for food. Bats are more comfortable in darkness and often are reluctant to fly in the daytime, even when disturbed. Florida’s native bats eat insects including beetles, mosquitoes, moths, and other agriculture and garden pests. In fact, bats do a great job of helping to control insects because a single bat can eat hundreds of insects in a night.

When bats take up residence in a structure where they are not wanted, the legal, safest, and most effective technique for getting rid of them is a process known as “exclusion.” Bats can enter any hole ¾ inch in diameter, or any crevice of ½ inch or more. An exclusion is conducted by positioning one-way devices at the locations where the bats are emerging from the roost. This prevents them from re-entering. We recommend that exclusion devices be left in place at least 5-7 days whenever possible. Bats are protected under Florida wildlife laws and it is illegal to willfully kill or trap bats in Florida. It is also illegal to conduct a bat exclusion during the maternity season, which in Florida is defined as April 16 through August 14. The maternity season is the period of time that mothers give birth to their young and nurture them to adulthood.

Collier Pest Control, Southwest Florida Pest Control Authority, can illuminate unwanted Bats from your home or business quickly and effectively. We will set up one way exclusion devises, seal up all non entry defective areas of the building, then seal up Bat entry areas after all Bats have been removed from the building, and sanitize nesting areas in the building. Don’t be frightened or annoyed by unwanted Bats in your home or business. Call Collier Pest Control 239-455-4300 and schedule an appointment today. Florida does not have to be shared with pests!